
‘Thank you Dublin, it's been a wild ride' – Temple Bar's Cleaver East to close its doors
It is owned by Michelin chef and restaurateur Oliver Dunne, with Cleaver East considered one of the first in Ireland to become a small plate restaurant and also became a trend-setter with new concepts.
The Clarence Hotel will close for major renovation and expansion early next month after it was given the green light to almost triple the bedroom capacity earlier this year.
Bono, The Edge and Paddy McKillen Sr sold the Clarence Hotel in October 2023 to the Dean Hotel Group, after more than three decades of ownership.
In a statement, Mr Dunne said the restaurant will close on August 3 'after 12 happy and memorable years in Temple Bar' as he thanked customers and staff for their loyalty and support.
All Cleaver East staff have been relocated within the existing restaurant group, he confirmed.
"None of this would have been possible without you guys, our amazing team and our Cleaver East community,' he said.
'We want to thank you all for your hard work, passion and dedication. You've been the heart and soul of Cleaver East, creating countless memories for our guests and shaping the atmosphere that made this place so special.
"We are extremely happy and very grateful to be able to retain all of you, our amazing staff with not a single person left behind. All our Cleaver family have been relocated within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group and we are so, so lucky to continue this journey with you.'
"Over the past 12 years, Cleaver East has become known for its creative food, positive energetic service style, vibrant atmosphere - with a special note to our now iconic bottomless brunch, a Dublin institution in its own right!.'
He said their bottomless brunches will 'live on' at the restaurant's sister venue, Beef and Lobster in Temple Bar, 'ensuring the spirit of Cleaver East continues to thrive and the cocktails keep flowing'.
"We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the final few weeks of Cleaver East. Come raise a glass and enjoy this legendary restaurant one last time before we say goodbye,' added Mr Dunne.
'Cleaver East will be open for dinner, Wednesday to Sunday and weekend Bottomless Brunch, up to and including August 3, when we turn off the lights one last time. Thank you, Dublin, it's been a wild ride.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
West Cork coastal home with sea views in Baltimore hits market for €1.35m
DESPITE a dip in viewings across many market sectors right now thanks to global uncertainties, employment worries, and a tightening economic situation, West Cork's coastal market appears to be holding ground. Many estate agents across the spectrum — rural and urban — admit that market activity has slowed over the summer months, for a variety of reasons; yet, prices are holding firm so far at strong levels given demand levels. Take a view.... Anything good, or even rare, in walk-in condition, and well-located is still moving at pace: a couple of very swift sales of very high end recent listings appears on the cards for places by the Cork coastline west of Kinsale, it's rumoured. Also reporting a quick pick up of interest is this €1.35m listing called Laguna at Cove Hill in chi-chi sailing village Baltimore (anointed with one of Ireland's most rare two-star Michelin restaurants, Dede) is auctioneer Maeve McCarthy of Skib-based Charles P McCarthy, selling Laguna for Irish owners, and saying the interest so far is mostly Irish, primarily from Dublin. Done Dede There's more than first meets the eye at Laguna, originally a 1970s build, later extended and upgraded to a good standard of finish and décor, on an elevated site of 0.7 of an acre with wide-ranging, panoramic views over Roaringwater Bay, islands such as Sherkin and Cape Clear, and out toward Mount Gabriel and Schull: Ms McCarthy bills the views as 'commanding'. Some setting It's at the end of a cul de sac above The Cove — where some of Baltimore's strongest prices of late have been achieved for places near the water or on the water: The Cove has claimed three €1m+ scalps to date and one made €1.4m. Coincidently, the property name Laguna already appears on the Price Register: a very basic level, chalet-style detached at Blue Flag beach Inchydoney near Clonakilty sold in 2023 for an extraordinary €1.15m, likely to be demolished and replaced in time. This Laguna at Inchydoney made €1.15m in 2023 Baltimore's fine-fettle Laguna is launched at €1.35m, and in local terms the trade is views from on high in exchange for water proximity: it's pretty private too given Cove Hill is only really trafficked by residents, and a handful of neighbour homes are also substantially sized/extended. Big builds Most of Laguna's c 2,990 sq ft is at ground level with three bedrooms (the main is large, at over 20' by 20', with vaulted ceilings and has a pod-like en suite within it, the other two at ground are compact) and there's one small first floor en suite bedroom. Most of the floor area is living space, and the main/front living room at 21' by 17' has a wood-burning stove in a brick and stone chimney breast, with corner window. Finishes in floors, bathrooms and kitchen are good, the energy rating is B2 with PV solar panels, and as well as the main house there's a lofted garage/boathouse with roller door and overhead Veluxes, and an adjacent garden room as a recent addition. VERDICT: Almost certainly going to bought as a second-home. Will it be wealthy Irish or from over the seas? Property & Home will run a 'Coastal Living' series of special reports and focus in next Saturday's issue.


Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Shock as Terre chef steps down from two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Castlemarter Resort
The Irish food world has been rocked by the news that the chef-patron of Terre restaurant at Castlemartyr Resort has stepped down just three years after his arrival at the luxury East Cork hotel. During his time there, Frenchman Vincent Crepel guided the restaurant to first one, then two Michelin stars in just 18 months. In a statement, Crepel said: 'Building Terre has been one of the most beautiful and meaningful journeys of my career. We created more than a restaurant, we shaped a space with soul, purpose, and intention. I'm profoundly grateful to those who stood beside me, to every guest who crossed our threshold, and to the remarkable suppliers whose craft helped bring our vision to life. I carry it all forward with me.' With so much investment pumped into the hotel in recent years under a new ownership regime, including a substantial financial commitment to creating the Terre restaurant in a 17th century manor house on the estate, it will be viewed as a matter of extreme urgency to ensure a seamless succession in the kitchen with Crepel slated to step down at the end of September although the hotel management is currently remaining tight-lipped on future plans. General Manager of Castlemartyr Resort, Brendan Comerford said: 'Vincent has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and success of Terre. His creativity, precision, and leadership helped the restaurant reach an exceptional milestone. We thank him for his contribution and wish him the very best for what lies ahead.' The hotel had been purchased in 2021 for €20m by Singapore-based Stanley Quek and Peng Loh whose international hospitality portfolio also includes Sheen Falls Lodge, in Co Kerry, and Trinity Townhouse, in Dublin. The new owners' plan for a radical upgrade also involved a new in-house restaurant targeting a highly ambitious two Michelin Stars at first time of asking which saw Crepel installed as chef-patron when Terre opened in September 2022. Under Crepel, Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening It is not uncommon for high-end hotels to target a Michelin star for an in-house restaurant as part of the overall business model, the better to attract custom to the hotel. Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary is the most recent luxury Irish hotel to receive a Michelin star, joining Adare Manor, Cliff House Hotel, Ballyfin Demesne, Mount Juliet Estate and Restaurant Patrick Guildbaud (two stars) at Dublin's Merrion Hotel. But eyebrows were most certainly raised at the extent of the ambition for Castlemartyr Resort in 2022 when Crepel was first unveiled and revealed the plan was to aim for two stars in the esteemed guide at the first time of asking, a rare feat indeed anywhere in the world of fine dining, though the late Aimsir restaurant, in Co Kildare, debuted at two stars in 2019, just two months after opening. While there are currently 18 one Michelin star restaurants in Ireland, there are just five Michelin two starred restaurants, including Terre, and, as yet, no Michelin three starred restaurants, and Crepel was to be disappointed when his first shot at the stated target fell short with just one Michelin star awarded to Terre at the awards ceremony in March 2023. However, Crepel's fusion of French and Asian influences brought to bear on a judicious combination of Irish and imported produce hit the magic formula at the second time of asking when Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening. As it was a stated ambition from the off, it is to be presumed the Castlemartyr Resort owners will be very keen to ensure both Michelin Stars are retained and while chef Josef Zammit successfully ensured the Cliff House Hotel retained its star at the last time of asking when he took over from departing head chef Tony Parkin, there are no immediately obvious Irish-based candidates to ensure a transition that sees Terre retaining both stars so they may well now be looking abroad for Crepel's successor. However, the identity of Crepel's successor will remain unknown for the moment as, when asked about a succession plan for Terre, the response from hotel management was 'no further comment at this time.'

Irish Times
5 days ago
- Irish Times
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud recovers from April revenue dip
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud , which has two Michelin stars, said on Tuesday it had recovered from a temporary dip in revenue in April due to US President Donald Trump 's tariff announcement. In an interview, co-owner Patrick Guilbaud said that business was steady in 2025 so far with a four to five per cent increase in revenues on last year. 'Business is very steady this year. It is quite good and is better than last year. We are very pleased.' He said that the restaurant continues to aim for a third Michelin star. 'We do the best we can every day and are working very hard.' This year is the restaurant's 44th in business. READ MORE In reference to the impact on business of Mr Trump announcing planned US tariffs at the start of April, Mr Guilbaud said 'after the tariffs in April we had a drop in business for two to three weeks'. Mr Guilbaud made his comments as accounts were filed by Becklock Ltd, trading as Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, showed post-tax profits of €117,770 for the 12 months to the end of August last. [ Patrick Guilbaud on moving to Dublin in the 80s: I remember asking for garlic at the market. 'Garlic - what do you mean garlic?' Opens in new window ] The post-tax profit of €117,770 was a 30 per cent decrease on the post tax profits of €167,554 for the prior year. The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €292,627 At the end of August last, Becklock Ltd's accumulated profits totalled €2.51 million. The company's cash funds increased from €869,055 to €1.38 million. David McWilliams on how 'big incentives' to build could save Dublin city Listen | 36:51 Staff costs declined from €1.7 million to €1.47 million as numbers employed reduced by one to 37. Directors' pay more than halved from €439,448 to €211,000, consisting of emoluments of €99,000 and pension contributions of €112,000. The restaurant's lunch menu costs €95 per person – the same price as this time last year while A La Carte ranges from €135 to €185 with the eight-course tasting menu costing €275 per person. Mr Guilbaud no longer has a controlling stake in Becklock after transferring almost half of his share to his son, Charles, who is part of the management team. The transfer took place during the 2023/24 financial year Charles has a 25 per cent share in the business as a result and has signed off on the 2024 accounts in his role as a director. Other members of the board are listed as Stefan Robin, Guillaume Lebrun, Martin Naughton, Lochlann Quinn and Kieran Glennon.